Sidequest for Love

by L.H. Cosway

  “And did you figure out what you were doing by the time the next one came along?”

  “Yes. Kirsty was my longest relationship. We were together for three years. I was older then, twenty-two, and had several one-night stands under my belt. I was more confident by the time I met her. I definitely thought she was the one, was even ready to propose to her, but then we had a conversation about children, and she knew for definite that she didn’t want them. I do want children, eventually, of course, so we ended up parting ways.”

  “That’s tough. Some people want kids; some people don’t.”

  I cast her a quick glance. “What about you?”

  “Me? Oh, well, in a perfect world, yes, I’d love to have kids, but my failed past relationships suggest it’ll be hard to find someone who’ll put up with me long enough for that. I mean, I get it. My job is unusual. It can be annoying to be with someone who becomes so distracted by virtual worlds when you just want them to live in the real world with you. Maybe once I’m financially stable enough, I’ll adopt on my own or find a sperm donor.” She paused then, and her expression turned mischievous. “Hey! Perhaps you could donate some sperm to me? I bet your kids would be cute as buttons and so well-behaved.”

  The suggestion of donating sperm placed several lewd images in my head, and none of them involved medical procedures. I was quick to push them away since I didn’t need to be getting an erection while driving. “I don’t think so.”

  “Not even if I let you impregnate me the old-fashioned way?” she teased, and I was certain I’d gone bright red again.

  “Are you trying to make me crash this car?”

  “I don’t know. Does the idea of old-fashioned impregnation make you lose your concentration?” she purred.

  “No,” I lied. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  She gave an amused cackle. “Sorry, I’m being mean, aren’t I?”

  “Yes, you are.”

  I felt her studying me now. “So, were there any others after Kirsty?”

  I shook my head. “It was soon after we broke up that I got the job with Running on Air and immediately fell head over heels for Leanne. She had no idea, of course, not until years later when I finally drummed up the courage to confess my feelings and she turned me down in favour of Callum.”

  “That has to have been rough,” Afric said. “Do you still have any feelings for her?”

  “No, not at all. Don’t get me wrong, I was heartbroken for a while, but I eventually pulled myself together and got over it. That’s when Annabelle came on the scene. And now you’re up-to-date with the history of my unsuccessful little love life.”

  “Aren’t all love lives unsuccessful until people eventually find the right partner?”

  “I guess so. And maybe all the failures are necessary to learn.”

  An impish grin graced her lips. “Kind of like how your several one-night stands taught you how to pleasure women in the bedroom?” she teased.

  I suppressed a smile. “I should’ve known you’d want to bring that back up.”

  “I’m quite shocked, to be honest. You didn’t strike me as a one-night stand type.”

  “I’m not. That period also taught me that I don’t enjoy meaningless sex.”

  “You’re my opposite then. Nowadays, the only sex I have is meaningless,” she said, and something twisted in my gut.

  “Right. I’d almost forgotten that you don’t do relationships.”

  “Not anymore,” Afric sighed.

  I swallowed tightly. “Hypothetically, though, if someone came along who didn’t care that your job was unusual and was prepared to stick around, would you enter into a relationship then?”

  Something flickered in her expression. Something that looked a lot like self-consciousness. “Hypothetically, yes,” she replied quietly, not meeting my gaze. Her answer caused me a ridiculous amount of elation, but I kept my expression neutral.

  “Well, you never know. Perhaps one day this hypothetical man will appear.”

  “Perhaps he will,” Afric agreed, her gaze fixed out the window.

  16.

  Afric

  It was late evening when we arrived in Cornwall, and I had to take my phone out to get directions to our camping location. The rural village landscape wasn’t so well sign-posted, but Google eventually brought us to where we needed to be.

  I spotted the farmhouse first, a white, two-storey structure with old-fashioned paned windows fronted by an ancient-looking oak tree. It belonged to the uncle of TheBigSix’s friend, Milly. I should probably start using his real name, which was Adam, because it’d be a little weird to call him TheBigSix in regular conversation. We’d never met in person before, and I was excited to see him, especially since he’d come all the way down from Scotland.

  Neil and I had shared, shall we say, an interesting drive. For a start, he’d clearly noticed my odd behaviour when he’d taken my bag. His knuckles had inadvertently grazed over my bare shoulder and collarbone, and I’d had the most disturbingly intense reaction to his touch. It sent a charged, deeply erotic stirring right through my stomach, and I’d needed a moment to gather myself.

  I’d never had such a strong reaction to anyone before. This attraction to Neil hadn’t appeared right away. Instead, it had grown and expanded slowly over time into this uncontrollable organism that now lived and breathed inside of me.

  Its only sustenance was Neil. Yep, kind of awkward.

  I wasn’t sure how I was going to feed said orgasm—I mean organism!—without tipping Neil off that I was lusting after him.

  The conversation about our past relationships had certainly been eye-opening. And when I’d asked if he’d consider being my future sperm donor, the blood vessel in his forehead had started to pump. I had no clue whether it meant he hated the idea so much it stressed him out, or if it meant he liked the idea so much it equally stressed him out.

  Either way, sharing a tent with him tonight was going to be an experience.

  Neil turned his car down the narrow dirt road that led to the farmhouse. All around us was farmland. In the distance, there was a view of the sea alongside a lighthouse, its stark white colour in contrast with the vibrant green of the grassy cliffs and the deep blue of the sea beyond them. It was an amazing spot. A place I never would’ve discovered without the friendships I made online.

  There were several cars parked outside the farmhouse. Neil parked next to a silver SUV. Then, before I had the chance to do it myself, he was at my side, opening my door for me.

  “Thanks,” I said, my eyes flicking up to meet his before both our attentions were drawn to the house. The front door flew open, and a tall, burly ginger appeared. TheBigSix, or Adam, certainly lived up to his online name. He was well over six feet tall and had one of those husky bear physiques. He wasn’t what I’d call fat, but he wasn’t thin either. He wore jeans and an open work shirt with a T-shirt underneath, and a giant smile spread across his face as our eyes met.

  Before I could react, he strode forward, picked me up, and surrounded me in a tight hug. “You made it!” he exclaimed, his Scottish accent rumbling through me. “Look at the wee size of ye. I didnae know you’d be so tiny in person.”

  I pushed him off, scowling playfully. “I’m not that small. You’re just a feckin’ giant.”

  Adam gave a boisterous laugh. “Aye, true. It really is good to see you. I’m only sad Winona couldn’t make it.”

  “Winona?”

  “Yellowshoes. That’s her real name,” he explained.

  I smacked my forehead. “Right. I forgot. Well, she was hardly going to fly all the way over just to spot a few UFOs. You know she’s not into all this stuff as much as we are.”

  “At least her flight wouldn’t have been as long as my drive. It took me the guts of a day to get down here,” he said, and his attention finally fell on Neil. I glanced at my friend and found him staring at Adam as though he was trying to figure something out.

  “And who’s this?” Adam asked. />
  “This is my friend, Neil. I think I’ve mentioned him to you a few times. Neil, this is Adam.”

  Adam nodded as he stepped forward, holding his hand out to Neil in a friendly manner. A beat of silence fell before Neil took it, and they shook hands, both eyeing one another as though trying to get the other man’s measure. “It’s good to meet you, Neil.”

  “And you,” Neil replied, his demeanour a little stiff.

  Adam stepped back. “Well, come on inside and say hello to the others. You two are the last to arrive, so we’ll head out to set up camp soon.”

  Neil fell into step beside me while Adam led us inside. “He fancies you,” Neil murmured with his hand at my elbow.

  “What makes you say that?” I asked. I’d suspected Adam’s crush for a while, but I’d always considered it harmless, mostly because I never expected to meet him in real life. But now, well, now we had met. I wasn’t sure what made Neil spot that he fancied me, though. Aside from scooping me into a hug, Adam had behaved perfectly ordinary.

  “I can just tell,” Neil replied, a slight rumble in his voice that I hadn’t heard before. I couldn’t say I hated it. A thrill went through me at the thought of him being jealous.

  “Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if he makes a move,” I said, testing the waters of his possible jealousy.

  He frowned hard. “He better not.”

  “Why? It’s been a while, and I deserve some action.”

  Something ticked in Neil’s jaw. My God, he had to be jealous. This was priceless. I loved how intense and broody he’d suddenly become. “Because we’re sharing a tent,” he grunted. “And I don’t wish my sleep to be interrupted.”

  I reached out to touch his arm. “Relax, darling man. Your beauty sleep won’t be interrupted. Whatever Adam feels for me, it isn’t reciprocated. I only see him as a friend. If he makes a move, I’ll kindly inform him of that.”

  Neil’s gaze fell on me, and I tried to read his thoughts, but his expression was too hard to decipher. His only response was, “Good.”

  We entered the farmhouse, and Adam introduced us to the rest of the group. Some of them I knew from the internet, while others were new to me. There were twelve of us in all. After the introductions were made, we lugged our camping gear across several fields to the spot where we’d supposedly have the best view if any UFOs were to make an appearance.

  Neil carried our tent, his backpack, and the rest of our belongings, only allowing me to carry the sleeping bags, which weren’t very heavy. When we arrived at the camping spot, he spread a blanket out on the grass before handing me a water bottle from the cooler box and instructing me to sit and take a load off. He was treating me all special, and I was quite overcome. If he wasn’t careful, I might swoon.

  I watched as he read the instructions before going about erecting our tent. He’d taken his jumper off, leaving him in a plain navy T-shirt that gave me a good view of his biceps and forearms. The way they flexed as he held a metal pole in each hand before inserting one into the other. Oh, no, a swoon was upon me. It was happening!

  Neil was completely oblivious as he finished putting up the tent before placing our backpacks and sleeping bags inside.

  Several yards away, everyone else was still setting up their tents when Neil had finished. I was impressed. He came and sat down next to me, his breathing a little laboured as he grabbed the water bottle from my hand and took a long gulp.

  Um, okay.

  I was momentarily transfixed by the fact that his lips were pressed where my lips had been seconds ago. A pleasant shiver trickled down my spine as I watched his throat bob while he swallowed.

  “Thirsty work?” I asked as he placed the empty bottle on the ground.

  “Yes. It wouldn’t have been if I were a little more fit.”

  I disagreed with his statement since Neil was fit as a fiddle from what I could see. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of fat on him. Granted, I’d never seen him topless, but from the few brief times we’d hugged or been physically close, I could feel that he was muscular. Not in an overt way, but he was definitely in good shape.

  “Do you ever work out at the gym with the cast of Running on Air?” I asked him.

  “I do. Michaela and I often use the treadmills and the weights, but we don’t go anywhere near the ramps or jumping walls.”

  “If you work out, then you must be fit enough. You certainly look it,” I said, my gaze wandering over his chest and down to his trim waist.

  “Thanks,” he said then, seeming pleased with the compliment. “What about you?”

  “If you’re asking if I work out, the answer is no, but I do go on lots of long walks. And since I don’t drive, I typically have to carry my groceries all the way home, so that kind of counts as lifting weights, right?”

  Neil chuckled. “I can’t see how it’s much different,” he agreed.

  I sighed. “I should probably think about starting more regular exercise, though. The women in my family tend to pile on weight after they turn thirty. I’m only twenty-five, and I’ve already started to gain.”

  Neil looked like he disagreed. “I think you look great just as you are.”

  At this, I shot him a grin. “Are you flirting with me?”

  I expected him to deny it. Instead, he ran his eyes over me, “Maybe I am.”

  His gaze met mine, and he didn’t look away. My chest began to flutter as I shoved him lightly on the shoulder. “Oh, my God, stop that.”

  He tilted his head. “Stop what?”

  “Stop staring at me with those eyes. You’re making me come over all peculiar.”

  He didn’t reply. Instead, his attention dipped to my mouth before coming back up. He reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and I inhaled sharply. “Afric,” he breathed.

  “Hey, do either of you want a drink?” came a voice, and I looked up to see Adam approaching us. I frowned in annoyance. Seriously, I was so mad at him for interrupting. I needed to know what Neil had been about to say more than I needed my next breath.

  “Um, sure, I’ll take one,” Neil replied before glancing at me.

  “I’ll take one, too,” I said, my voice coming out a bit huffy.

  Adam nodded, his expression curious as he looked between the two of us.

  “Be right back,” he said, and I returned my attention to Neil.

  “You were saying?”

  His brow furrowed. “I was saying … Eh, what was I saying? Right, I was going to say that if you want, you can always come to the gym and work out with Michaela and me. Though, like I said, I don’t think you need to lose any weight. You’re perfect.”

  I suspected that wasn’t what he’d been going to say, but I let him off the hook, especially given that last part. He thought I was perfect? My heart didn’t know what to do with that information.

  I lifted my eyebrows at him, my pulse pounding. “Perfect?”

  His stare was heated. “I’m sure you’re aware you have a body that could launch a thousand ships.”

  A thousand ships? I was officially swooning again.

  “What about my face, though?” I asked, veritably preening.

  “Quit fishing for more compliments,” he chided playfully, falling quiet a moment as he eyed me intensely, “But, yeah, your face is pretty spectacular, too.”

  I stared at him, not knowing what to say, and then Adam was back with our drinks. Bloody Adam! King of the poorly timed interruption. “Here you go. I hope you like Bud. I consider it piss water myself, but I made the mistake of letting Steve bring the drinks,” he said, shooting an irritable glance over at a skinny, long-haired guy who was still trying to wrangle one of the tents.

  “This is fine,” I replied, taking the proffered can while Neil did the same. I could barely focus on Adam because Neil’s voice kept replaying in my head.

  I’m sure you’re aware you have a body that could launch a thousand ships.

  Your face is pretty spectacular, too.

/>   I really was feeling peculiar now. My breathing was all uneven, and there was a heat beneath the surface of my skin that simply refused to abate.

  “Nice tent, by the way,” Adam went on, making conversation. “You must be a regular camper. Looks high quality, and you got that thing up faster than any of us.”

  “I actually borrowed it from my boss. I only got it up so fast because I read the instructions,” Neil replied, and Adam gave a good-natured chuckle.

  “Right, that always helps.”

  I started to reconsider my theory about Adam fancying me. He wasn’t acting at all jealous about Neil. Instead, he seemed completely casual and laidback. Perhaps I’d been wrong about him.

  “Well, I’d better go start on the food. We brought a portable barbecue, and I’m going to cook burgers and hotdogs for everyone. You both are welcome to share.”

  “I actually brought a gas cooker and supplies,” Neil said, and Adam nodded.

  “You came prepared. I like it. Okay, I’ll leave you to it then. Give a shout if you need anything.”

  He left, and Neil and I fell into silence. He turned his attention to me, and I realised he was sitting so close that our shoulders were almost touching.

  “So, you think my face is spectacular?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “You’re well aware that you’re pretty,” Neil huffed. “Quit being smug about it.”

  “I think I like being smug about it,” I teased, nudging his shoulder with mine.

  “Of course, you do.”

  “Look, you’re blushing. Have you gone shy?”

  “Stop it, Afric.”

  “Or what?” I challenged.

  In a flash, he was on me, his chest hovering above mine as I lay flat on my back. Words died on my tongue while heat filled my body. Neil leaned over me, his hands circling my wrists and pressing them into the blanket. “Or I’ll kiss you,” he threatened, “and we both know how much you’d hate that.”